Posted on 12/17/2006 4:03:30 PM PST by DAVEY CROCKETT
VEVAK learned its methodology from the Soviet KGB and many of the Islamist revolutionaries who supported Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini actually studied at Moscow's Patrice Lumumba Friendship University, the Oxford of terrorism. Documented Iranian alumni include the current Supreme Leader (the faqih) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, under whose Velayat-e Faqih (Rule of the Islamic Jurisprudent) apparatus it has traditionally operated. Its current head is Cabinet Minister Hojatoleslam Gholam-Hussein Mohseni-Ezhei, a graduate of Qom's Haqqani School, noted for its extremist position advocating violence against enemies and strict clerical control of society and government. The Ministry is very well funded and its charge, like that of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (the Pasdaran) is to guard the revolutionary Islamic Iranian regime at all costs and under all contingencies.
From the KGB playbook, VEVAK learned the art of disinformation. It's not so difficult to learn: tell the truth 80% of the time and lie 20%. Depending on how well a VEVAK agent wants to cover his/her tracks, the ratio may go up to 90/10, but it never drops below the 80/20 mark as such would risk suspicion and possible detection. The regime in Teheran has gone to great lengths to place its agents in locations around the world. Many of these operatives have been educated in the West, including the U.K. and the United States. Iranian government agencies such as embassies, consulates, Islamic cultural centers, and airline offices regularly provide cover for the work of VEVAK agents who dress well and are clean shaven, and move comfortably within our society. In this country, because of the severance of diplomatic relations, the principal site of VEVAK activities begins at the offices of Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.
Teheran has worked diligently to place its operatives in important think tanks and government agencies in the West. Some of its personnel have been recruited while in prison through torture or more often through bribery, or a combination of both. Others are Islamist revolutionaries that have been set up to look like dissidents - often having been arrested and imprisoned, but released for “medical reasons”. The clue to detecting the fake “dissident” is to read carefully what he/she writes, and to ask why this vocal “dissident” was released from prison when other real dissidents have not been released, indeed have been grievously tortured and executed. Other agents have been placed in this country for over twenty-five years to slowly go through the system and rise to positions of academic prominence due to their knowledge of Farsi and Shia Islam or Islamist fundamentalism.
One of the usual tactics of VEVAK is to co-opt academia to its purposes. Using various forms of bribery, academics are bought to defend the Islamic Republic or slander its enemies. Another method is to assign bright students to train for academic posts as specialists in Iranian or Middle East affairs. Once established, such individuals are often consulted by our government as it tries to get a better idea of how it should deal with Iran. These academics then are in a position to skew the information, suggesting the utility of extended dialogue and negotiation, or the danger and futility of confronting a strong Iran or its proxies such as Hizballah (Hezbollah). These academics serve to shield the regime from an aggressive American or Western policy, and thereby buy more time for the regime to attain its goals, especially in regards to its nuclear weaponry and missile programs.
MOIS likes to use the media, especially electronic media, to its advantage. One of VEVAK's favorite tricks is setting up web sites that look like they are opposition sites but which are actually controlled by the regime. These sites often will be multilingual, including Farsi, German, Arabic French, and English. Some are crafted carefully and are very subtle in how they skew their information (e.g., Iran-Interlink, set up and run by Massoud Khodabandeh and his wife Ann Singleton from Leeds, England); others are less subtle, simply providing the regime's point of view on facts and events in the news (e.g., www.mujahedeen.com or www.mojahedin.ws). This latter group is aimed at the more gullible in our open society and unfortunately such a market exists. However, if one begins to do one's homework, asking careful questions, the material on these fake sites generally does not add up.
Let's examine a few examples of VEVAK's work in the United States. In late October, 2005, VEVAK sent three of its agents to Washington to stage a press event in which the principal Iranian resistance movement, the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MeK), was to be slandered. Veteran VEVAK agent Karim Haqi flew from Amsterdam to Canada where he was joined by VEVAK's Ottawa agents Amir-Hossein Kord Rostami and Mahin (Parvin-Mahrokh) Haji, and the three flew from Toronto to Washington. Fortunately the resistance had been tracking these three, informed the FBI of their presence in Washington, and when the three tried to hold a press conference, the resistance had people assigned to ask pointed questions of them so that they ended the interview prematurely and fled back to Canada.
Abolghasem Bayyenet is a member of the Iranian government. He serves as a trade expert for the Ministry of Commerce. But his background of study and service in the Foreign Ministry indicates that Bayyenet is more than just an economist or a suave and savvy businessman. In an article published in Global Politician on April 23, 2006, entitled “Is Regime Change Possible in Iran?”, Bayyenet leads his audience to think that he is a neutral observer, concerned lest the United States make an error in its assessment of Iran similar to the errors of intelligence and judgment that led to our 2003 invasion of Iraq, with its less than successful outcome. However, his carefully crafted bottom line is that the people of Iran are not going to support regime change and that hardliner President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actually has achieved greater popularity than his predecessors because of his concern for the problems of the poor and his fight for economic and social justice. To the naive, Bayyenet makes Ahmadinejad sound positively saintly. Conveniently overlooked is the occurrence of over four thousand acts of protest, strikes, anti-regime rallies, riots, and even political assassinations by the people of Iran against the government in the year since Ahmadinejad assumed office. So too, the following facts are ignored: the sizeable flight of capital, the increase in unemployment, and the rising two-figure rate of inflation, all within this last year. Bayyenet is a regime apologist, and when one is familiar with the facts, his arguments ring very hollow. However, his English skills are excellent, and so the naОve might be beguiled by his commentary.
Mohsen Sazegara is VEVAK's “reformed revolutionary”. A student supporter of Khomeini before the 1979 revolution, Sazegara joined the “imam” on his return from exile and served in the government for a decade before supposedly growing disillusioned.
He formed several reformist newspapers but ran afoul of the hardliners in 2003 and was arrested and imprisoned by VEVAK. Following “hunger strikes”, Sazegara was released for health reasons and permitted to seek treatment abroad. Although critical of the government and particularly of Ahmadinejad and KhameneМ, Sazegara is yet more critical of opposition groups, leaving the impression that he favors internal regime change but sees no one to lead such a movement for the foreseeable future. His bottom line: no one is capable of doing what needs to be done, so we must bide our time. Very slick, but his shadow shows his likely remaining ties to the MOIS.
http://www.ocnus.net/artman/publish/article_27144.shtml
http://english.cri.cn/2946/2006/12/19/65@175812.htm">http://english.cri.cn/2946/2006/12/19/65@175812.htm
Senior Chinese, Mexican Officials Meet on Ties
2006-12-19 17:19:16 Xinhua
Manuel Espino, president of Mexico's ruling National Action Party, met with Wang Jiarui, a senior official of the Communist Party of China, on Monday, with both sides expressing their willingness to strengthen bilateral ties.
Wang, head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, spoke highly of the development of bilateral friendly relations and cooperation in economy, politics, culture and other fields since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1972.
He said the Chinese side is ready to deepen the exchanges between the ruling parties of the two countries on the basis of the principle of independence and mutual respect, enhance political mutual trust, and work together to push the Sino-Mexican strategic partnership forward.
Manuel Espino, president of the National Action Party, expressed the hope that the two parties would strengthen their contact and exchanges, enhance the friendship and promote the all-round and healthy development of bilateral ties.
The CPC delegation led by Wang arrived in Mexico City on Sunday for a good-will visit.
http://english.cri.cn/2946/more/2958/more2958.htm
Diplomatic News
• Japan to Promote Exchanges with China: Abe
• Hong Kong Chief Meets Visiting Kazakh President
• China, Kazakhstan Pledge Closer Cooperation Between Two Legislatures
• Chinese Premier, German Chancellor Talk on Phone
• Chinese Premier Calls for Expanding China-Kazakhstan Cooperation
• Kazakhstan Expects Enhanced Energy Cooperation with China
• Hopes High for China-Japan History Study
• China-Slovakia Relations Boast Rosy Prospect
• Jia Stresses Research into Political Consultation Theory
• Senior Chinese Advisor Meets Former French Foreign Minister
• Russia to Do Best to Ensure Success of Year of China
• Senior CPC Leader Meets Vietnamese Party Official
• Chinese, Vietnamese Party Officials Hold Talks in Beijing
• China, Kazakhstan Complete Survey, Demarkation of Border
• Chinese, Kazakh Presidents Agree to Expand Cooperation
• China, Kazakhstan to Toughen Crackdown on Border Crimes
• Sino-Japanese Economic Cooperation Talks Held in Beijing
• Chinese, Australian Vice PM Hold Talks
• China, Japan, ROK to Increase Cultural Exchanges
• Kazakstan President Arrives in Beijing for State Visit
• Cambodian Leaders Meet Chinese Delegation
• Senior Chinese, Mexican Officials Meet on Ties
• Chinese Foreign Minister Meets Jordanian Counterpart
• China, Australia Vow to Advance Ties as Vice PM Visits China
• Pakistan, China Joint Anti-Terror Military Exercise Concludes
• China, ROK Should Contribute to Regional Peace
• Chinese Leaders Agree in Principle to Visit Japan
• China Firmly Supports Mideast Peace Process
• Sino-US Ties Maintain Momentum of Development
• China Holds Israeli-Palestinian Seminar
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329619908-103495,00.html
Siberian police 'obstructing Politkovskaya murder inquiry'
Audio: Tom Parfitt on who killed Anna Politkovskaya
Tom Parfitt in Grozny
Monday November 6, 2006
Guardian Unlimited
Police officers in a Siberian town are alleged to be obstructing the arrest of a former major on their force who is wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, the Guardian has been told.
Alexander Prilepin, who is also wanted in connection with the torture and disappearance of a young Chechen man in Grozny in 2001, is said to have been spotted in Nizhnevartovsk but loyal officers there are alleged to have helped him escape capture.
One line of inquiry being pursued by prosecutors is that an officer from the Khanty Mansiysk region of Siberia killed her in revenge for publicising the torture case - leading to a trial that saw one of their police colleagues, nicknamed “Cadet”, imprisoned for 11 years. Mr Prilepin was a major on the force.
Politkovskaya, a newspaper reporter and author who brought the Kremlin’s dirty war in Chechnya to an international audience, was shot dead in the lift of her central Moscow apartment block on October 7. President Vladimir Putin has promised a thorough investigation into the murder, which provoked shock and outrage across the world.
Suspicion has fallen on three groups in relation to Politkovskaya’s death: Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen prime minister whom she criticised for alleged human rights abuses; an opponent of Mr Kadyrov who wanted to discredit him; or a subject of one of her investigative articles who was incensed about being exposed.
Last week a team of prosecutors, detectives and federal security service agents investigating Politkovskaya’s death was in Nizhnevartovsk, 1,200 miles east of the Russian capital, looking for Mr Prilepin. The team drew a blank after questioning friends and relatives of Mr Prilepin.
However, a Chechen law enforcement source who was recently dispatched to Nizhnevartovsk with a separate group to search for Mr Prilepin told the Guardian: “The police there are pretending to look but in fact they are just helping hide their old comrade, and doing everything they can to stop him being found.
“Prilepin’s first wife and other sources told us he is living there and riding around in a jeep. But the prosecutors from Moscow won’t find anything. The local officers warn him whenever anyone comes near.”
An arrest warrant for Mr Prilepin was announced earlier this year in connection with the torture and disappearance of Zelimkhan Murdalov, a 26-year-old Chechen who was arrested in Grozny in January 2001.
The young man was taken to a detention facility in the city’s Oktyabrsky district. According to witnesses an officer called Sergei Lapin, or Cadet, tried to slice off Murdalov’s ear, beat him and submitted him to electric shocks in an attempt to force him to become an informer. Murdalov disappeared the day after his detention. Mr Prilepin is suspected of helping to dump his body.
The incident went virtually unnoticed until nine months later when Politkovskaya publicised it in an article called “Disappearing People”.
“If it hadn’t been for Anna’s efforts, Lapin would never have been prosecuted,” said Murdalov’s father, Astemir, 55, in an interview at his home in Grozny. “It’s quite possible they killed her in revenge for his imprisonment.”
Lapin, who denied torture and said Murdalov received his injuries falling down some stairs, was convicted last year. Before the trial he sent emails to Politkovskaya demanding she retract the accusations made in her article, “otherwise the police officer hired by you as a guard will not be enough to help you”.
Murdalov’s relatives have been repeatedly threatened. Armed men in masks have broken into the house of Murdalov’s father and searched it on three occasions, once holding an automatic weapon to his head. His mother, Rukiyat, and sister, Zalina, moved to Norway in 2003 in fear for their safety. On one occasion they found a note in their postbox made from letters cut from newspapers, saying “You will answer for Lapin”. Last year an unknown assailant attacked Rukiyat near her home, slashing her neck and wrists with a knife.
Mr Prilepin was not arrested at the time of Lapin’s trial, despite damning evidence given against him by witnesses. Another nine officers from Khanty Mansiysk are now being sought for questioning about abuses at the Oktyabrsky detention centre.
“It is unbelievable that these beasts who organised such terror in our city and may be involved with Anna’s death are being protected,” said one Grozny resident who asked not to be named.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian News and Media Limited 2006
http://www.google.com/search?q=China+to+Develop+Iranian+Gas+Field&client=netscape-pp&rls=com.netscape:en-US
News articles:
http://news.google.com/news?q=China%20to%20Develop%20Iranian%20Gas%20Field&client=netscape-pp&rls=com.netscape:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
A search subject, that one can go wild with:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Unique+Christmas+customs+around+the+world&client=netscape-pp&rls=com.netscape:en-US
http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.europe/browse_thread/thread/ea88e5bc47dafe27/b2f11ef17f7caae0?lnk=st&q=Unique+Christmas+customs+around+the+world&rnum=2#b2f11ef17f7caae0
Croatian Christmas Customs
The Zajednicar
December 18, 1996
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada - The Feast of Christmas is celebrated around the
world in so many different ways, depending upon geography, language, culture
and religion. One needs only to mention the Huron Indian Carol where the
Christmas story is adapted to the cold of Canada. The Christ Child lies not
in a manger of hay, but is wrapped in rabbit skins, the three Kings are
'Chiefs' from afar and the shepherds are 'Indian Braves'.
Some Croatian customs go back to pagan times; others are of more recent orign
and adaptation to urbanization - as it is in other countries. Sadly,
Christmas today is frequently submerged in crass commercialization, as can be
seen by the plastic 'decorator trees' in shopping malls, the vulgar use of
traditional carols as back-up jingles in advertising, the replacement of St.
Nicholas by Santa Claus (a marketing invention of Macy-Gimbles in New York in
the early part of this century) - all of these enticing us to buy, buy, buy,
to demonstrate our love.
I mention these issues as it is important to emphasize that Croatian
Christmas is essentially centered on religion and the family. Many of the
customs were not recorded, albeit preserved in some format, despite rejection
in Croatia's recent past as part of ex-Yugoslavia. Today, there is a
resurgence of interest and respect for "narodne obicaje" (customs of the
people), often amongst second and third generation Croatians in the land of
their forefathers. However, as there are so many variations of Christmas
traditions in Croatia, it is pertinent, today, to restrict information to the
customs of Christmas Eve-Badnjak, as well as a few preliminaries to this most
joyous of celebrations.
Croatian Christmas begins with Advent - the coming or ocekovanje. The
faithful attend early, pre-dawn masses called zornice or matins throughout
this religious period. Preparations start on St. Barbara's Day (Dec. 4) or
more frequently, on St. Lucia's Day (Dec.13) when the traditional planting of
the wheat in a dish takes place. Cafrefully tended, its growth by Christmas
Day, predicts the abundance of the crop on the coming year. It is also in
Advent that the Feast of St. Nicholas (Dec.6) is eagerly awaited by the
children who place brightly polished shoes on the window still, awaiting the
Christmas goodies if they have been good children or avoiding the Krampus
(the devil) if they have been bad.
A ritual candle symbol of the light coming from Christ, is placed in the dish
of wheat or in the middle of the kolac, a Christmas bread often ornamented
with figures of people, the Christ Child, domestic animals - whatever the
lady of the house chooses to display her artistic and culinary talents. The
candle is wrapped in the tri-colour or trobojnica. Usually only one candle is
lit, but if there are two - one is for the living, the other for the dead. In
some areas, for example Slavonia and Dalmatia, three candles representing the
Holy Trinity are lit. In this instance, each person secretly chooses one
candle and, depending upon the speed of the meeting, foresees his fate - the
slower the melting the longer the life; the more drips or suze (tears) on the
candle, the more fruitful the new year's crop. Magical powers are often
attributed to the candle and so it is sometimes saved for the next year.
The Sokci, the Bunjevci, the Hercegovci gather round the centre of the room
and the head of the household, the Domacin, traditionally extingushes the
candle with a piece of the kolac dipped in red wine. Towards whomever the
smoke travels is a prediction of death while the person upon whom the shadow
falls is protected from death.
During Advent, there is a flurry of activity as the home is readied for
Christmas Eve. There are cookies to be baked, decorations to be made, houses
to be cleaned, meat slaughtered and prepared - very much as many of us here
in Canada.
Badnjak, or Christmas Eve, is eagerly awaited and culminates in midnight
mass. The word Badnjak comes from the Glagolithic bdjeti meaning 'to be
awake'. Thus, Badnjak is the night when all must be awake, at least until
after mass that celebrates the Birth of Christ. In some parts of Croatia, it
is called Bozicno na vecerije or Villja, relating to the latin vivilla - to
keep vigil as did the shepherds on the first Holy Night. On this night there
must be heat and light, represented by the ritual candle and as no other
light may appear before the ceremonial candle is lit, the domacin lights it
before dark has fallen, accompanied by traditional phrases and verses,
varying from region to region. Some of these still remain and are carefully
nurtured not only by peasant families, but by specialists - folklorists who
travel from village to village, recording and codifying folk culture for
future generations.
The custom of the Yule Log or panj existed in pre-recorded times in all of
southern Europe - Spain, Portugal, France, Croatia, all former regions of the
Holy Roman Empire or lands adjacent to it, northern Slavs from Poland, the
Ukraine, the Carpathians did not adopt the practice, but just as there are
remnants of the Roman connection in the Istrian word for Christmas (vilija),
so the Croatians as they settled in southern lands accepted the Badnjak, the
Yule Log. Here in Canada, the French retain the log in the form of a special
Christmas cake, La Buche Noel, decorated as a log and appearing in French
patisseries during the holiday season.
In olden times, the Badnjak was called the Bozicnjak or cok in Istria, krij
on the island of Krk, hreb on Hvar. Today, the custom is mostly retained in
isolated areas where there still remains an open hearth, otvoreno ognjiste,
made of rocks or bricks centered around an opening in the earthern floor of
humble homes. The custom has obviously disappeared with the advent of modern
stoves and central heating systems.
There are two types of Badnjak. The branch thrown onto the roof top and the
panj or log burned in the fireplace. The panj is not split and should have
numerous knots that it may burn longer. (Perhaps it is a way to avoid extra
work in stoking the fire?) The panj is usually oak, but other types are used
depending upon the geographical region. For example, the beech tree (bukva),
the olive, the fig, the maple tree are local variants. The use of straw in
regions where wheat grows is another form of badnjak, as well as being
symbolic of the manger where the Christ Child lay. The male elders who are
responsible for the Badnjak go out to the woods a few days before, cut it and
place it outside the entrance to the house where it waits to be brought in
ceremoniously, accompanied by ritual greetings and verses. The logs are
sometimes decorated with bay leaves. English ground ivy, and in southern
Dalmatia, the logs are often placed in patterns such as the cross. The
Adriatic Croatians burn only one log, but in Dinaric areas, three or more are
burned, depending upon the number of males in the house and one more for the
male to be born.
The Badnjak is brought in by the domacin (male elder) from the courtyard. He
greets the assembled family with "Faljen Isus - Dobro Vam dosla Badnja Vecer"
(Praise be to Jesus and may this Christmas Eve be a good one.) The family
answers: "I s tobom zajedno" ( and together with you). At this point, the
female head of the family sprinkles wheat grains upon the domacin, as is done
in Livno.
Local traditions dictate how the logs are placed on the ognjiste. Sometimes,
as mentioned, they form a cross; sometimes, wheat grains are placed on top
and sprinkled with holy water over incense fanned by flames. Even bits of
food from the evening meal are given to the badnja - a spoon of soup,
vegetables, 'fritule' (yeast donuts), salt, etc. and sprinkled with oil,
rakije (spirits) or wine, by the log as a family member saying: "Pij u tvoje
zdravlje" (drink to your health). The Istrians toast the Badnjak, believing
that if they do not, ill fortune awaits them. Thus, the yule log is treated
as a mystical or even human being.
Fortune telling, a remnant from pagan times, continues through the evening.
The domacin pokes the panj with a poker to set sparks flying saying: "Kuliko
iskri, tuliku ticic ja nasel ovi ljeti" (the number of sparks, the number of
birds I'll catch in the new year.)
The Badnjak must last all evening and in many regions, it is burned again. In
others, it is extinguished on Christmas Eve and re-lit in the New Year, on
the Feast of The Three Kings or it even stays by the hearth until Lent,
serving as the special log upon which other logs are placed. The ashes or
charred fragments, are scattered in the fields to assure a fruitful crop. Tha
ashes are even used to heal certain diseases.
The Badnjak, as a branch, is placed on the roof and stays there throughout
the year. Traditionally, a young man places the cut branches beside the door
and on Christmas Eve, before the sun rises, the family gets up and waits for
him to bring the branch into the house, saying "Badnjak na kucu, badnjica u
kucu: (the branch on the roof, the log into the house) or "Badnjak na kucu,
kolac na ruke" (branch on the house, the Christmas bread into the house). The
mother then places a bread in the form of a ring on his arm, sprinkling him
with wheat and saying "Eto sine, ziv i zdrav bio - do godine Badnjak na kucu
metnio" (May you live and be healthy to place the log on the house next
year). He then goes out and throws it onto the roof.
As early as 1272, in the Book of Statues for Ragusa (Dubrovnik) there is a
mention of sailors from Dubrovnik bringing in the ceppo on Christmas Eve,
which in this historcal period, was also celebrated as the beginning of the
New Year. This is verified in the 13th century carol "Narodil Nam Se" where
the phrase "Na tom mladom letu, veselimo se; mladoga Kralja mi molimo" (on
this new year we rejoice and pray to the young King) confirms that Christmas
Eve and New Year's Eve are one and the same in olden times.
It should be noted the Badnjak is burned at the time of the winter solstice,
when the strength of the sun is weakened. It is the strength of the Badnjak,
its light, warm and crackling sparks that assist the sun to overcome darkness
and cold, thus associating the Badnjak with pagan sun worship. There is also
an association with the cult of the dead, for it is said that on Christmas
Eve, the soul of the family dead return to gather round the hearth and the
Badnjak, to receive its warmth and light.
The myths, superstitions, historical facts and religious connotations
associated with Badnjak as Christmas log and Christmas Eve are many and
varied. Yet some of these ancient practices are preserved and retained in
Croatian homes to this day; visible symbols are present even if the origins
of the customs have long been forgotten.
The extraordinary wealth of Croatian customs associated with the subsequent
days of the Holy Season merit further research, collation and presentation.
That they vary from village to village, region to region, is a testament to
the unique Croatian individuallity of the diverse Croatian cultural
influences upon Croatia over historical time. It is upon us to preserve and
cherish this wonderful heritage.
Betty Labash Kovacs, M.A.
Lodge 1975
(Researched and presented by Betty Kovacs at annual Croatian Christmas
concert " Hrvatski Bozic '95)
References: The Zajednicar; Croatian Circular - Z. Mekinda, editor; Godina
Dana Hrvatskih Narodnih Obicaja - Milovan Cavazzi, 1939, reprinted 1991.
Genocide and murder:
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=3279120&map=0&page=0&lang=en
http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/
http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.europe/browse_thread/thread/f14f69552d63042d/ff8953f97893fd62#ff8953f97893fd62
This is an amazing read:
http://www.mindszenty.org/report/1998/feb98/feb98.html
[snipped from the middle of article]
Not to be intimidated, one day as he was riding through Budapest followed by several other priests, the car bearing his entourage was stoned by Communists. Mindszenty immediately stopped his own car and approached the Red mob. "I am the Church," he shouted to them. "If you want something of the Church, stone me!"
Time explained what it saw as Mindszenty's dilemma as follows:
The Communist state is the instrument of a church: the secular church of international Communism. It teaches a system of ethics directly opposed to Mindszenty's. It actively seeks to turn as many men as it can away from God. It uses the full force of its police power, its educational system and its socialized economy to make its converts and to destroy its religious rivals. In the struggle in which Mindszenty found himself there was no logical line between church and state.
continues at last above link:
http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/LIST.HTM
For checking later:
http://www.correlatesofwar.org/
This is an important list of gulag links:
http://www.gulag.hu/links.htm
http://www.google.com/search?q=A+Gulag+Christmas&client=netscape-pp&rls=com.netscape:en-US
Sorry. I don't remember.
I think they've been going on at least 20+ years.
Doubt they went on during the cultural revolution at all.
I think it's only been since the opening to the outside world a la Deng Xiao Ping that there's been such "frivolities" allowed and supported and resources to devote to them.
But I could be wrong. Harbin has it's own long traditons due to the cold etc. This could be one of them.
Sorry I'm so ignorant on the point you ask about.
LUB
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=26142
The Jihadist Dream to Liberate Spain
By Aaron Hanscom
FrontPageMagazine.com | December 22, 2006
Earlier this year a jihadist document calling for the liberation of so-called occupied territories and issued by the al-Qaeda-linked group Nadim al-Magrebi was posted on the Islamic extremist website Alansar. In most European capitals, where the cult of Palestinianism reins supreme, such demands are often met with approval since the occupied land in question is usually Israeli. But this time the statement addressed Spain—not Israel. It warned of a “holy war against the infidel Spanish state which has occupied the two cities.”
The two cities in question are Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish enclaves on the North African coast which Spain gained control of nearly 500 years ago. Melilla, with a population of 64,400, is home to 26,400 Muslims; Ceuta’s Muslims number 27,000 out of a population of 71,500. The Spanish newspaper El Pais reports that Muslims will become the majority in the next decade.
continued
Well, I love you for attempting to answer, and you are more than likely correct.
I forget that some of these countries were in pure hell for a few years and closed to joy and God.
Still, they must be something to see.
As I read some of the links . . . at least one of Harbin's festival is on it's 19th edition this year.
Thanks for your kind words.
Increased health and wholness to you & yours from God's grace this CHRISTmas and New Year.
That is some video, even with a bullet between the eyes, they still look insane.
That translation is something else, thank you.
It does leave one thinking deep thoughts.
December 23, 2006 Anti-Terrorism News
(Afghanistan) Bin Laden's "close associate" killed in southern
Afghanistan - Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Osmani's vehicle was hit in an airstrike
in Helmand province
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061223/wl_asia_afp/afghanistanunresttaliban_061223131215
(Afghanistan) Roadside bomb kills 5 Afghan police
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061223/ap_on_re_as/afghan_violence_6
(UK) Police hunt for 'English brothers' who spent year in al-Qaeda camp
- Heathrow suspect appears in court, Security chiefs on continuing
alert
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2516850,00.html
(UK) Top cop warns of Christmas terrorism threat
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=123986&version=1&template_id=38&parent_id=20
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4421269.html
(India) Police hunt launched after uranium stolen in India
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061223/wl_sthasia_afp/indianuclearpoliticscrime_061223112959
(India) Lucky escape for train passengers inspite of bomb and bullets
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1070666
Report says NYC tunnels vulnerable to terrorists
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/NEWS01/612230367/1002/NEWS01
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1978078,00.html
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDQyNzE0JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==
Iraq: Al-Qaida-linked group offers truce for U.S. exit - Leader of
"Islamic State of Iraq," Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, issues first audio saying
fighters launching new offensive
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16330057/
(Iraq) Report: Baghdad now dominated by Shiites
http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi/20061223-075859-9301r.htm
Indonesia: Christmas Festivities Despite Terror Attack Fears
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Religion&loid=8.0.370996748&par=0
Indonesian cleric Bashir says ruling a "blow" to West
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061222/wl_nm/security_indonesia_bashir_dc_3
(Canada) Accused terrorist Mohamed Harkat can fight deportation
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=3a79c66b-a7ba-42e7-9121-85ff35a6cad8&k=30220
Gaza gunmen shoot security officer loyal to Abbas
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/December/middleeast_December390.xml§ion=middleeast&col=
Pakistani Terrorist Arrested, Hideout Busted in Kashmir
http://www.india-defence.com/reports/2762
Iran warns U.N. to expect reaction over sanctions
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061223/wl_nm/iran_nuclear_dc_2
Iran Held Liable In Khobar Attack - A federal judge ruled yesterday
that Iran is responsible for the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing and ordered
that the government pay $254 million to the families of 17 Americans who
died in the attack in Saudi Arabia
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/22/AR2006122200455.html?referrer=emailarticle
Verdicts in Morocco terror trial
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6205217.stm
9/11 terror suspect files appeal in Germany - Mounir al-Motassadeq
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/23/content_5522340.htm
Somali Islamists urge Muslims worldwide to join jihad
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-12-23T110414Z_01_L23110484_RTRUKOC_0_US-SOMALIA-CONFLICT.xml&WTmodLoc=IntNewsHome_C1_%5BFeed%5D-3
Peace hopes fade in Somalia
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/23/africa/web.1223somalia.php
Sudan 'accepts UN Darfur force' - in principle
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6204489.stm
Muslim insurgency escalates in Thailand
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061222/ap_on_re_as/thailand_muslim_violence_1
Detainees at Guantanamo Get Holiday Greetings
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,238357,00.html
(Oklahoma City Bombing) Probe of Islamic ties 'obstructed' by feds
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53485
Commentary: Why radical Islam, why now?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20061222-093837-1262r.htm
http://www.futurejihad.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=32
The Continued Misunderstanding of the Salafi Jihad Threat
The Continued Misunderstanding of the Salafi Jihad Threat PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 09 October 2006
By Walid Phares
World Defense Review
In an article titled "Al Qaeda finds new partner: Salafist group finds limited success in native Algeria" (The Washington Post, October 5, 2006) by Craig Whitlock, Western sources, including French and American, assert that the Salafist Group for Call and Combat (originally a local Algerian group) has become global by joining with al Qaeda.
continued.............
http://www.futurejihad.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Phares in Washington Post
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
The Washington Post 12.10.06. Letter to the American People (4)
IRAN NEEDS A CHANGE OF DIRECTION
Iran’s President, M Mahmoud Ahmedinijad recently sent a letter to the American people explaining his views and the views of his regime regarding America, its
values and US policy worldwide. We, the authors of this fourth letter to the American People, wish to respond to Tehran’s ruler and inform the public in
both nations about the realities of Iran’s involvements in world crisis. We wish to create a better understanding between the American and Iranian peoples and between all Democracies and Democracy-loving societies for a better future.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA122306.02B.TSA_badges_uniforms.2c4c529.html
UPDATED: S.A.'s Rep. Smith proposes fine for missing TSA items
Web Posted: 12/23/2006 07:33 AM CST
San Antonio Express-News
SAN ANTONIO — The federal agency that oversees airline passenger security screenings at the country's airports had more than 3,700 badges and uniforms lost or stolen since 2003, including 14 items in San Antonio, according to a local television station.
The high number reported by WOAI-TV has concerned Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, who proposes imposing fines on employees of the Transportation Security Administration so they take better care of the items.
"It's not inconceivable that someone can use the identification and the uniform to gain access to a sensitive part of the airport, or baggage loading area or where mechanical problems are fixed, which would allow access to (the) plane itself or something that goes onto the plane," Smith, a member of the Senate's Homeland Security Committee, told the San Antonio Express-News on Friday.
TSA officials did not return the Express-News' repeated calls seeking comment Friday.
continued....
[the jihadi version of the news, from a recruiting site for jihad]
http://www.jihadunspun.com/intheatre_internal.php?article=107028&list=/home.php
Islamic State Discloses Bush Wants Talks With Them; Mujahideen Demand Complete Surrender
Dec 22, 2006
JUS News Desk
Abu Omar al-Bahgdadi, the Amir of the Islamic State of Iraq, has issued an audio statement just hours ago that has revealed that a message from US President George Bush was delivered through the Saudi regime asking for talks with the newly formed Islamic State.
In it, Bush said that the US has held negotiations with all parties and factions in Iraq except the Islamic State of Iraq and that his administration would very much like to sit down with their representatives to negotiate a resolution to the situation in Iraq.
Abu Omar, may Allah preserve him, gave this response in the statement that was just publicly delivered this morning:
1. We do not negotiate with those who spilled the blood of our women and children.
2. We issue the following directive to you. This order must be accepted with disgrace and humiliation before it is too late:
a) You must withdraw all your forces, using only personnel carriers and personnel transport aircraft.
b) Each member of the withdrawing forces is only allowed to carry light weapons. All other heavy weapons, war gear, and other equipment must be left behind.
c) All military bases must be handed over to the Islamic State of Iraq.
d) Total withdrawal must be completed in one month.
e) The Islamic State of Iraq will guarantee safe passage.
f) You have only two weeks to start carrying out this directive.
Abu Omar al-Bahgdadi said other important things in his statement today including that a new campaign against the crusaders and apostates has been launched today until the end of Eid.
The Amir goes on to say that 70% of Tribal elders gave their blessings to the state and that many soldiers of Jaish Al-Islami and Ansar Al-Sunnah have joined the state. It has firmly placed its foot on the ground, applying the Shariah and assigning workers to collect Zakat.
Ya Allah, protect our newly formed state to heal the breasts of the believers and to stand against the wickedness of the kufr. Ameen.
JUS translators are working on the audio translation and inshaAllah we will be able to bring you the complete transcript shortly. (JUS)
[LOL, and here the American version of my last post from jihad site...]
http://www.redstate.com/stories/war/heres_your_iraq_timeline
Here's your Iraq timeline
"Simply get on your knees, kiss the royal emblem on my cloak, and beg for mercy - and you shall have it."
By Jeff Emanuel Posted in War — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
The leader of the Mujahideen Shura Council in Iraq is "offering the United States a one-month truce to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq and turn over its military bases "to the mujahedeen of the Islamic state," according to CNN and the AP.
The black flag of the Mujahedeen Shura Council.
In an audiotape posted on Islamic Web sites Friday, a speaker identified as Abu Omar al-Baghdadi ...said that if U.S. forces begin withdrawing from Iraq immediately and leave their heavy weaponry behind, "we will allow your withdrawal to complete without anyone targeting you with any explosive or anything else.
"We say to Bush not to waste this historic opportunity that will guarantee you a safe withdrawal," al-Baghdadi said on the audiotape.
The United States was given two weeks to respond to the offer.
Read on . . .
The Mujahideen Shura Council - often referred to as "an umbrella organization for Iraqi insurgent groups" - has been around since 2005, and is a loose confederation of "several terrorist and insurgent groups, including al Qaeda in Iraq," according to CNN.
On the audiotape, al-Baghdadi also called on officers from the former Iraqi army to join an "army of the Islamic state," promising them a house and a salary as long as they pass a "test of faith" intended to demonstrate the extent of their "hatred" for Saddam Hussein and his regime.
Well, there you go, blue-staters and New Democrat Majority: your first offer of peaceful surrender. All you have to do is follow through on your ardent desire of the past several years, and run away, tail between your legs, and you'll be allowed to come back home and wait to be killed on your own turf.
Clearly these nice men just want a country of their own, and have NO animus toward us outside our eeeeevil occupation of Iraq. Right?
Oh, and you have to convince the President to go along with it, as well; I'm sure such quotes as "the opportunity for peace in our time" will come up somewhere - as will pressure from the self-loathing fringe to accept defeat wherever possible, to admit the most defeat and offer the most apologies that we can, and to accept the next deadly strikes here at home with the fatalistic mindset of ones who deserve them, as, through our invading Iraq (before which the world loved us, and there were no such things as terrorists), we clearly brought it all upon ourselves.
Al Qaeda's Message To Democrats — Comments (20) »
Here's your Iraq timeline
I cannot figure out, if this is an American hating muslim writer, or if he has even larger problems, he has a lot of reports on jehad.
http://crusaderwatcher.blogspot.com/
I found this to be an interesting site, take a look at the statistics he has listed on the home page...granny
http://bookerrising.blogspot.com/2006/12/somali-islamists-urge-muslims.html
Booker Rising
News site for black moderates and black conservatives
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Somali Islamists Urge Muslims Worldwide To Join Jihad
Somali Islamists urged foreign Muslim fighters today to join their "holy war" against Ethiopia after days of heavy fighting between Islamist and pro-government troops (hat tip: Jihad Watch). The Islamists and pro-Somali government fighters have been firing artillery and rockets at each other across frontlines since Tuesday, killing dozens and wounding hundreds. "Our country is open to Muslims worldwide. Let them fight in Somalia and wage jihad, and God willing, attack Addis Ababa," said Islamisti defense chief Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Inda'ade". The most sustained fighting to date between the two sides has heightened fears of a major regional war that would suck in Horn of Africa rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea. Diplomats fear the Somali conflict could also trigger suicide bombings in east Africa.
Ethiopia poured scorn on the Islamists' call for international support from foreign jihadists, saying it proved the "extremism" of a movement that the Ethiopian government accuses of being run by militants linked to al Qaeda. The African Union added its voice on Saturday to U.N. and Western condemnation of the fighting and urged both sides to resume peace talks.
This week's combat started after Tuesday's expiration of a deadline that the Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC) had given Ethiopian troops protecting the government to leave the country or face war. The SICC accuses Christian-led Ethiopia, a U.S. ally in its war on terrorism, of invading Somalia and has said it would wage holy war against the Horn of Africa power.
My response: It is bad enough that Arab Muslims occupy vast tracts of Africa - a longtime occupation that very few folks will highlight, while folks whine bad nauseum about Israel's tiny sliver of real estate in the Middle East. Now black Muslims are advancing the interests of Arab Muslim jihadists and forcing Arab Muslim cultural values on black folks (e.g., Somalia's new entertainment rule, with no dancing or music....that is definitely foreign to black cultures), on our ancestral continent. Wonderful.
# posted by Shay @ 1:25 PM Comment (0) | Trackback (0)
This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.